Aberdeen refused to grant their Ibrox rivals permission to talk to their boss on Tuesday evening.

And the 46-year-old failed to persuade Dons chairman Stewart Milne to change that stance when the pair met yesterday.

McInnes and his assistant Tony Docherty didn’t take training in a move that suggests they no longer see their futures at Pittodrie.

But with Aberdeen and Rangers at a stalemate, it is now in the hands of McInnes to force through a switch to his former club. 

He will either have to tell Milne his heart is set on leaving in a bid to convince the chairman to let him hold talks, or walk out on his contract. 

If the latter scenario pans out, the Ibrox club would be liable to pay more than £1million in compensation.

Rangers are hopeful of landing McInnes before Saturday’s home league clash with Ross County, although caretaker Graeme Murty is likely to remain in the dugout for the last time.

Express Sport understands that terms on a three-year-deal would be quickly thrashed out with McInnes if he is given the green light to open negotiations.

Milne and the Dons fans are furious that it took nearly six weeks of intense speculation following Pedro Caixinha’s sacking before Rangers finally made their move.

Two weeks ago Milne also said McInnes made it clear to him he had no intention of leaving Pittodrie.

But developments this week have rocked Aberdeen.

Paul Sheerin and Barry Robson took the squad for training at Balgownie Barracks yesterday.  

The Under-20s coaching duo is expected to fulfil media obligations today and be in the dugout for tomorrow night’s trip to Dundee.

If McInnes does go, Michael O’Neill and Eric Black would be leading contenders to replace him.

Northern Ireland boss O’Neill has already been granted permission to speak to Scotland about the vacant manager’s job.

But Aberdeen would not baulk at paying the £750,000 club fee to get O’Neill if they thought a deal could be done.

Former Dons striker Black is also highly thought of at Pittodrie.

The Gothenburg great is on the coaching staff at Southampton and settled in the south, but could be tempted by his first club.

Black has previously been the main man at Motherwell and Coventry City and assisted Malky Mackay for Scotland’s recent friendly defeat to the Netherlands.

St Mirren’s Jack Ross, St Johnstone’s Tommy Wright and ex-Hibs boss Alan Stubbs could also be in the mix.